Machine for inserting spacers between the plates of storage batteries



Sept 22, 1942- A. D. NICHOLS v 2,296,479v

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES A TTORNEK Sept. 22, 1942.

A. D, NICHOLS 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPAGERS BETWEEN THE PLATES 0F STORAGE BATTERIES 1s sheets-sheet 2 Filed sept, 27, 1939 mamon.

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ATTORNEY.

Sept. 22, 1942. A. n. NlcHoLs 2,296,479 MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed sept. 27, 1939 16 sheets-sheet '5 Min l ATTORNEY.

Spt. 22, 1942. A. D. NTCHOLS 2,296,479

MACHINE Foa INSERTING sPAcERs BETWEEN THE PLATES 0E STORAGE BATTERIES Filed sept. 27. 19:59 1e sheets-sheet 4 5 /E 45 "LD 56 5 #E m ,545

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ATTORNEY.

Sept. 22, 1942. A. D. NICHOLS Y 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPAOERS BETWEEN THE PLATESSA OF STORAGE BATTERIES Fil'ed sept. 27, 1959 1e sheets-sheet 5 eef @I1/ENT?. l

A TTORNEY.

Sept 22, 1942. A. D. NICHOLS 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACER'S BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed sept. 27, 1939 1e sheets-sheet e ZW-113i. 11.

NVENTOR.

Sept'l 22, 1942. A. D. NICHOLS 2,295,479 A MACHINE FOR INSERTINGSPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed sept. 27, 1959 1e sheets-sheet 7 mmm BY M W TTORNEK Sept. 22, 1942. A, D, NlcHoLs MACHINE-FOR INSRTI-NG SPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed Sept. 27, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 INV NTOR.

A TTRNEY.

Sept. 22, 1942. A. D. NlcHoLs 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES 0F STORAGE BATTERIES Filed Sept. 27. 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 l gvmrog. l

Sept 22, 1942- A. D. NlcHoLs 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACER'S BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed sept. 27. 193s 1s Sheets-sheer 1o vIIVVENTOR.

- ATToRNEX Sept. 22, 1942. A. D. NICHOLS MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed Sept. 27, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet l] IIIIIHIH 2 mluuuh Ifmllm- Il-Illlllllllll mi lfm yBY A TTORNE Y.

Sept. 22, 1942. A. D. NICHOLS 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS BETWEENTHE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Fild sept. 27, 1939 16 sheets-sheet 12 Y mm.

A TTORNEY.

sept .22', 1942. A. D. NlcHoLs 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGEBATTERIES A TTORN EY.

Sept. 22, 1942. A. D. NICHOLS 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACER-S BETWEEN THE PLATEKS OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed Sept'. 27, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 4W EVM.

- ATTORNEY.

Sept. 22, 1942. A. D. Nlcl-loLs 2,296,479

MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES l Filed Sept. 27. 1959 16 Sheets-Sheeki 15 (Nl/ mick Sept. y22, 1942. A. D. NlcHoLs 2,296,479 MACHINE FOR INSERTING SPCERS BETWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BATTERIES Filed Sept. 27, 1959 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 22, 1942 RIACHINE FOR INSERTING SPACERS TWEEN THE PLATES OF STORAGE BAT- TERIES AnthonyD. Nichols, San Francisco, Calif. Application September 27, 1939, Serial No. 296,827

4 Claims. y (Cl. 29-84) This invention relates to a machine for inserting spacers between the plates of storage batteries.

An electric storage battery-as used today, consists of an outer casing constructed of vulcanized rubber `or a similar-material. Within this case is mounted a series of lead plates, which are arranged in two units, a positive unit and a negative unit, the positive plates 'being connected with a positive terminal of the battery and the negative plates being connected with a negative terminal of the battery. The plates are separated by wooden or similar spacers to prevent shortcircuiting between them. The case is filled with a sunicient amount vof dilute sulphuric Vacid to maintain the plates submerged, and the case is sealed over, with only the terminals projecting so as to permit electrical connections to be made.

The size and capacity of an electric storage battery determines the number of Lplates employed; for instance, a thirteen-plate battery'will conta-in six positive and Aseven negative plates; a fifteen-plate battery, seven positive and eight negative plates; a .seventeen-plate battery, eight positive and nine negative plates, and so on. More specifically stated, a thirteen-plate battery will consist of six spaced positive plates, connected by a common bracket which in turn carries the positive terminal used. This assembly of plates is known as the positive unit. The negative plates are .similarly spaced and connected by a bracket arm which carries the negative terminal used, and the assembly is Vknown as the negative unit. .These vtwo units are assembled by inserting the six positive plates between the seven negative plates, and thereafter inserting spacers between the plates to prevent short-circuiting.

Up to date the spacers Yhave been inserted by hand operation, and this is work that requires skill, care and speed. At best, it is work that is costly, as it requires a large proportion of .space in a given factory for the many operators required to keep up with the rapid machine operations whereby the other parts of a battery are made.

The object of the `present invention is to provide a machine whereby the spacers are quickly and automatically fed and introduced between the plates -of a battery assembly; more specifically stated, the object is to provide a machine whereby an assembly of plates, vconsisting of the positive and negative units, may, rst, be placed and secured in a vise; secondly, means are provided for gripping .and separating the individual plates of each unit; and third, means are provided for automatically feeding and introducing the spacers between the separated plates.

The machine employed for the purpose of separating the plates and introducing the spacers between them is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan viewof the machine;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken ,on line II--II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front detail view, showing the spacer frames and the separating plates and spring iingers carried thereby;

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the plate spacing mechanism and the foot pedals whereby it is actuated;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the foot pedal 50 and the release lever 98 cooperating therewith;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 2, said view also showing the battery plate assembly with the plates engaged by the shoes 9i;

Fig. '8 is a section similar to Fig. '7, showing the battery plates partially spread apart, and the negative plates gripped by the spring `iingers;

Fig 9 is a similar section showing .the positive plates moved forward into engagement with the notches 1I; Y

Fig. l0 is a perspective View of one of the grippers mounted on the vise;

Fig. 11 is a section similar to Fig. '7, showing the battery plates completely spread;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the same part of the spreading mechanism shown in Fig. ll, showing the bars 12 in position to be advanced into engagement with the battery plates;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the battery plate gripping and spacing ends of one group of ysli-ding frames;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the vise and the arm l5 upon `which it is supported;

Fig. 15 is a perspective `View of the post I 9 of the vise and the clamping plate 21, said view showing the clamping plate in raised `or vertical position;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view ofthe arcuate spacer arms 32;

Fig. 17 is a perspective View, partially broken away, looking at the bottom of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the toothed spacer bars 12 and the mechanism whereby they are actuated;

bars 44, said view also showing the manner in which said rack bar is connected with an adjav cent sliding frame;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line XXV-XXI of Fig. 30; Fig. 22 is an enlarged plan view taken on line XXII- XXII of Fig. 30;

l Fig. 23 is an enlarged cross section taken on,"

line HIE-XXIII Uf Fig. 30;

AFig. 24 is a section similar to` Fig. 21, showing Y the spacer feeder guide plates in projected position;

Fig. 25 is a rear View of the wise, the arm I5 .and the table below it being shown in cross sec. Y f

tion;

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the front end of the spacer feeding mechanism; Y

Fig. 2'7 and Fig. 28 are perspectiveviews o f one pair olf feeder guide plates; k

Fig. 29 is a horizontal section taken on line XXIX- XXIX of Fig. 30; Y Y,

Fig. 30 is a vertic-al cross section taken on line XXX-XXX of Fig. 1;, y,

Fig. 31 is a vertical cross section takenon line XXIU-XXXI of Fig. 1,but showinggthevise removed; Fig. 32 is an enlarged detail view o the driving pin II2 and the portion of the arm I5into which thepinIIZenters; y H V V 1,. Y c

Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the latch arm I4I and its cooperating tripping leverY L50 and cam |49; Y Y Fig. 34 is a Vertical cross section taken on line XXXIV- XXXIV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 35 is a perspective View of the, positive group of plates in a battery assembly; .l

Fig. 36 is a perspective view of the negative plate group; Y Y

Fig. 3'7 is a perspective View showing the. positive and negative groups assembled; Y Y Y Fig. 38 is a perspective view of one of the spacers to be introduced between the battery plates; and

Fig. 39 is a horizontal section of a portionof the assembled plates of a battery, Yshowing vthe position of the spacers C when inserted between them. Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 35 to 39 inclusive, A indicates the positive unit or group of plates of a battery, and B the negative unit. The individual plates 2 of the positive unit are spaced apart and are secured to a bracket arm 3, which carriesV aV terminal post 4. The negative unit similarly .consists of individual spaced plates `5, ,a connecting bracket arm 6, and a terminal post 1. The two units are assembled by moving the positiveY unit in the direction of arrow a into and between the plates 5 of the negative u nit, and when fully inserted and properly placed, the two unitswill assume the position shown in Fig. 37.

The spacing between the plates 2 and 5 in the two units is not only great enough to permit the positive plates to enter and to be placed'between the negative plates, but it is also great enoughV to -permit introduction of spacers, of the type shown in Fig. 38, on opposite sides of each plate in each unit, as shown at C in Fig. .39. The spacers most commonly used are made of wood, but in some instances they are made of hard rubber, or some similar material which is reinforced with fabric or the like. Regardless of whether wooden or rubber spacers are employed, one face of each spacer must Ibe grooved, as shown at 8, and the grooved sides must face the opposite sides of the positive plates, as shown in Fig. 39, to permit a l i It has .previously been stated that the spacers .C are inserted between the plates by hand operration. This takes time, and in addition there is a chance that an operator may insert one or more spacers with the grooved surfaces racing the negative plate. Such positioning of the spacers would materially impair the operation or a battery, as it would substantially stop the flow of acid to one or more of the positive plates. Such mistakes can not `be tolerated, and for this reason rigid inspection service is required, which further increases cost. Y A

The machine forming the subj ect matter of this application entirely eliminates hand insertion of spacers, and any chance of Vwrongplacing of the spacers. vThe elements or parts forming the machine may for purposes of descriptin be divided into three main groups: K Y f l,

(1) A vise generally indicated at D, yfor receiving and securing the battery plateassembly;

(2) A mechanism generally indicated Yat E, for engaging and spreading orjseparating the plates of the battery to permit free insertion of thespacers; and K Y y(3) A mechanism generally indicated at F, for feeding and introducing the spacers between the separated or spread plates.

These several groups of mechanism are supported in a frame composed of a series of uprights ID, on top of .which is supported va table having two main sections II and I2. Adapted to swing about a post I4 in a complete circle and over the surface presented by the table sections II and I2 is an Iarm I5, andcarried by said arrnl is the vise D. The vise is best illustrated in Figs. i4 to 17, inclusive. Itlconsists of a base plate lli secured by means of a spacer block I'I tothe outer end of arm I5. This plate is .of a size and shape most suitable to receive and support a battery plate assembly such as shownY in Fig. 37. On top of the base plate, at theA inner end thereof, is secured a positioning plate YI8. Also supported by the base plateis a post I9, and pivoted to swing about the upper end ofthe post, as at 20, is a clamping plate 2|. This plate is adapted to assume a vertical position such as shown in Fig. 15 when the battery assembly is tobe placed on the base plate I6, and it will assume a horizontal or clamping position after theV battery plate `assembly has been placed and positioned on the base plate. In the horizontal position, the clamping plate is secured by a latch 22.

On the upper surface and forward edge of the clamping plate are mounted two bearing members 23. Extending through said bearings Yis a shaft or pin 24, and pivotally mounted on said pin, between the bearings 23are a plurality of plate gripping and securing lingers generally indicated at 25. Similarly secured to the lower and inner face of the base .plate are series of plate gripping and securing fingers 26. These iingers are best shown in Fig. 10, and as they are al1 identical a description of one will suiiice. Each fingers consists of a body member 21, the rear portion of which is drilled to receive and straddle the pin about which is pivots. On the forward end of the .body member are mounted two spaced wedge-shaped lugs 28, and above .them and spaced therefrom is a lug 29, which will hereinafter be referred to as a lifting lug. The lugs 28 will be referred to as gripping .and securing lugs.

Fig. 16 Shows a spacing device, which consists of la :rectangularly-shaped block 39, to the llower side of `which is secured an arcuate arm 3|, and to 'the upper surface of which are secured a pair of spaced arcuate arms 32 and a handle 33. The .block Il' interposed between the base plate I6 and the arm I5 has a recess formed therein to receive and guide the lower arcuate arm 3| of the spacing device. This arm accordingly passes underneath the base plate of the vise, as shown in Fig. 14, while the vupper arcuate arms 32 rest upon and engage `the upper face of the base plate I6. These upper arms form spacers, and their function will be as follows.

Before describing the manner in which these arms function as spacers, the fact must be pointed out that the spacer shown in Fig. 38 is slightly wider than the plates 2 and 5 o'f the positive and negative units forming the battery plate assembly. When the spacers C are inserted between the plates, the sides of the spacer should project approximately te of an inch beyond the sides of the positive and negative plates. If the plates of the battery assembly rested directly on top of the base plate of the vise, the spacers when inserted would have one edge projecting of an inch beyond one side of the plates. On the other hand, if a spacer such as the arcuate arms 32 is placed between the upper surface of the base plate I6 and the side edges of the plates, the spacers when introduced will assume their proper position, or project g3g of an inch beyond each side of the battery plates.

Before describing the manner in which the battery plate assembly shown in Fig. 37 is placed in the vise shown in Fig. 14, it is first essential to define the sides, top and lower edge of the platos. In Fig. 37, the numeral 34 indicates the upper edges of the plates; 35, one side edge; 36, the other side edge; and 3l, the bottom edges of the plates. When the battery plate assembly is placed in the vise it is placed with the side edges 35 resting on top of the spacer arms 32, and with the bracket arms 4 and 3 facing rearwardly, that is, towards the fulcrum point of the arm I5. The lower edges of the plates 3'! will thus face inwardly, or assume a position adjacent the gripping members and 23, and will be vertically positioned with relation thereto. The battery assembly is placed upon the spacing arms 32 of the vise when the clamping plate 2l assumes the vertical position shown in Fig. 15. The plates are grasped by the lower terminal post 'I and are pulled rearwardly until the bracket arm 6 enters between the shoulders Ia of the positicning plate I3. When the arm 6 enters between the shoulders, it aligns and positions the plates upon the vise. The clamping plate 2l may then be swung about its pivot to a horizontal position, and will there be secured by the latch 22. A lug 2in. on the clamping plate will also have its function, as will later be described.

The battery assembly is placed, positioned, and clamped in the vise, and when the vise assumes the position shown at G in Fig. 1, the lower edges 3l of the plates face the plate spreading or separating mechanism generally indicated at E, and

is centrally disposed with relation to the same.

This mechanism is constructed asfollows:

Referring to Fig. 2, which is a vertical section taken lon line II-II of Fig. lJ II indicates the table top. Supported by the table top Ais a frame consisting of two vertical members 40 connected at the top by a crossbar 4I Extending centrally and horizontally through the frame is a shaft 42, and secured thereon are four gears v43 of increasing diameter. Extending through the frame, above and below the gears, are a plurality of rack bars 44 and 45. The 'upper rack bars are maintained in engagement with theV teeth of the respective gears, and so are the lower rack bars. Hence, when the gears are' rotated in one direction the rack bars 44 and 45 will move in unison toward each other, and when the vgears are rotated in the opposite direction the rack bars will move in unison away from each other. A lever '43 (see Fig. 4) is secured on the shaft 42, andthe opposite ends of this lever are connected through links 41 and 48 with foot pedals 49 and 59. The foot pedals are identical vin construction, and a side view of the same is shown in Fig. 5. When the pedal 49 is depressed the gears will be rotated in a direction to move the rack bars inwardly and towards each other, and when the pedal 5%] is depressed, the rack bars will move in an outward direction, or away .from each other.

Again referring to Figs. l, 2, 4 and 18, a second frame is disclosed. It consists of a pair of end posts 5i, supporting upper and lower horizontally disposed bars 52 and 53. These bars are channel-shaped in cross section, as they are provided with right-angular vflanges 52a and 53a, which form guideways for a plurality of sliding frames generally indicated at 54, which are best illustrated in Fig. 20. The frame consisting of the posts 5I and the upper and lower horizontal bars 52 and 53 supports a total of eight sliding frames of the type shown at 54. There are four disposed on the left hand side and four on the right hand side. The four sliding frames disposed in the left hand side are connected to the lower 4rack bars 45 by posts 55 and rods 5E Yterminating in ball-joints 5l. These ball-joints enter socket joints 58 formed in the outer end of posts 59 secured to the outer ends 59 of `the respective sliding frames. The rack bars 45 are disposed below the gears 43, and in order to make a central connection between the rack lbars and the sliding frames, the posts 55 secured on the outer end of the rack bars are of varying heights, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. An identical connection is made between each of the upper rack bars 44 and the sliding frames disposed in the right hand side; hence when the pedal 49 is depressed, the gears 43 will rotate in a direction to cause the rack bars to move inwardly, or towards each other, and Aas each rack bar is connected with the corresponding sliding frame, the sliding frames on the left hand side will move inwardly, and the sliding frames on the right hand side will simultaneously move inwardly. Depression of the pedal 59 will reverse the movement.

This movement of the sliding frames to and away from each other is utilized for the purpose of spreading the plates of the battery, and this is accomplished as followls: By referring to Fig. 13, which is a perspective view of the inner ends of one group of sliding frames, it will be noted that each frame carries a right-angularly disposed plate, the plates on Vthe respective frames being indicated Aat B2, 562e, 62h `and 62C.

The platesmarked 62a and 62e areV provided vreceived in the slots 63.

away from the plate 62a.

supporting plate. fingers' 61, 66 and 64, is important, as they form with cross'slots 63, while theplate marked'62b does not require suchV cross slots. Commencing with the innermost plate 62, it will be noted that the vrear side of it carries a pair of ngers 64. These are connected by a Vertical spring arm 65 riveted to the plate 62 at`its middle. When all of the sliding frames are moved together, plate 62a of the adjacent sliding frame will move into substantial contact with the plate 62', and the spring supported fingers 64 will be The plate 62a just referred to carries a pair of spring fingers 66. These will clear the upper and lower ends of the Vadjacent plate B2b, and space is thus provided for'them withoutV slotting the plate 62h. The plate 62h also has a pairV of spring supported fingers 61,'and` these are received by the slots 463 of the last plate, indicated at 62e. It should also be noted that the first plate 62, starting from the right hand side in Fig. 13, is provided with a pair of pins 68. When the plates are moved together the pins 68 will move through holes in the adjacent plate 62a and engage the spring ngers 66 mounted thereon, forcing them Similarly, the pins 69`on the plate 62a will pass through holes in the Vadjacent plate 62h and engage the spring fingers 61, thus forcing them away from their This movement of the spring grippers whereby the edges of the battery plates are gripped. The first plate 62 has holes formed in it through which pass pins'from the opposite sliding frames; that is, when the two groups of sliding frames approach each other, the pins of one group Ywill pass through the holes in the plate 62 and engage and actuate the spring fingers 64. The pins 68 are extended as shown at 68a, and these pass through holes in the opposing sliding plate, and actuate the spring fingers thereon.

In addition to the plates 62, 62a, 62h and 62o, each sliding frame carries upper and lower angle-shaped fingers 10, in the forward ends offs.

which are formed notches 1|. These notches will engage with the positive plates of the battery assembly, while the spring ngers 64, 66 and 61 will engage the plates of the negative unit, as will hereinafter be described.

The posts 5| which support the horizontal frame plates 52 and 53 will also support a pair of horizontal, longitudinally extending bars 12, on the forward edges of which are formed V- shaped teeth 13. These toothed bars and the mechanism actuating the same are best shown in Fig. 18. The bars 12 are adapted to be moved in unison to and away from the battery plates supported or secured in the vise. The mechanism for imparting this movement comprises a pair' of vertically disposed shafts 14 journaled in opposite ends of the frame plates 52 and 53. On the lower end of each shaft is mounted a crank arm 15, and these crank arms are connected by a link 16. of one of the shafts 14 is secured a forked crank arm 18. A slot 19 equivalent to the fork 18 is formed in the crank 11; hence when the crank 11 is swung in the direction of arrow b,

,bars 12 will move towards the vise, and when the crank is swung in the opposite direction, they will move away from the vise. The upper and lower bars 12 are identical. The lower cranks 15 are also identical (see Fig. 19); that is, they are also provided with fork-shaped ends engag- On the upper end .shoulder 93 of a latch 94.

ing pins on the lower bar 12, so that both the upper and lower bar will move in unison when motion is transmitted by the crank 11. At this point it might also be advisable to point out the fact that the frame bars 52 and 53 are re cessed at their central portions, as shown at 80, and that two V-shaped centering lugs 8| are formed in the center of each recess.

By referring to Figs, 4 and 6, it will be noted that one of the sliding frames carries a downwardly extending cam when the sliding frames are moved inwardly', this cam will engage a rocker arm 86 and depress it. This rocker arm is secured on the outer end of a shaft 81, and accordingly imparts rocking movement thereto. On the other end of the shaft is secured an arm 88,and when the shaft is rocked, this arm will move downwardly in unison with the rocker arm 86, and as a stop latch 89 is formed on the outer end of the arm 88, the latch 89 will be depressed or retracted. This is of importance, as will hereinafter appear.

By referring to Fig. '7, it will be noted that the two innermost sliding frames, or those indicated at 54a and 54h, are provided at their inner ends with outwardly extending, angularly disposed gripping brackets 90, on the inner faces of which are mounted resilient gripping pads or shoes 9|. These shoes engage the surfaces of the two outermost negative plates of the battery plate assembly mounted in the vise, and force all of the plates together, as shown in Fig. '7. The gripping action, however, permits sliding movement of the plates in the direction of arrow c, and it is for this reason that the shoes 9| are resiliently mounted.

It has previously been stated that the vise is supported on an arm 5 which swings about a post I4. It should also be noted (see Figs. 1 and 14) that the arm is slotted as shown at |5a, so as to permit movement of the arm and the vise upon which the battery is supported to and away from the sliding frames. After the assembly of battery plates has been placed in the vise, the vise is swung until it engages the When engaging this shoulder it centers the vise with relation to the sliding frames. This position of the vice is shown in Figs. 1 and '7. After the arm I5 of the vise engages the shoulder of the latch 94 the vise and arm l5 are moved in the direction of arrow c until the stop latch 89 is engaged, there being a shoulder formed on the lower face of arm I5 for its reception. This latch is best shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6. When inward movement of the arm and vise has been stopped by this latch, pedal 49 is depressed, and the shoes 9| of the gripping brackets 90 will thus engage thevoutermost plates and force them together to assume the position shown in Fig. '7. At the same time cam 85 engages the rocker arm 86, and the stop latch 89 which controls the first position of the vise is retracted, leaving the vise free for further inward movement or into engagement with a stop lug indicated at 95.

By referring to Fig. '7, it should be noted that the positive plates 2 are slightly retracted with relation to the negative plates 5; hence when the vise supporting the battery plates is advanced from the stop latch 89 and into engagement with the stop lug 9|, the ends of the negative plates will enter between the plates 62, 62a, 62h and 620 carried by the left hand group of Asliding frames, and obviously they will also enter between identical plates carried by the 

